Pioneers of Underwater Acoustics Medal
Dr. George V. Frisk, a Professor in the Ocean & Mechanical Engineering Department at
Florida Atlantic University, was awarded the Pioneers of Underwater Acoustics Medal by
the Acoustical Society of America at the Second Pan-American/Iberian Meeting on
Acoustics in Cancun, Mexico on November 17, 2010. He was presented the Award for
his contributions to quantifying acoustic interactions with the seabed. Dr. Frisk is also the
President of the Acoustical Society of America for 2010-2011.
The Pioneers of Underwater Acoustics Medal is presented to an individual, irrespective
of nationality, age, or society affiliation, who has made an outstanding contribution to the
science of underwater acoustics, as evidenced by publication of research results in
professional journals or by other accomplishments in the field. The award was named in
honor of five pioneers in the field: H. J. W. Fay, R. A. Fessenden, H. C. Hayes, G. W.
Pierce, and P. Langevin. Recipients have been:
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1959 - Harvey C. Hayes - For outstanding contributions to the science of
underwater acoustics. His far sighted recognition of the challenging
technical problems in this branch of acoustics and the potentiality of the
application of their solution to the defense needs of the Nation resulted in
the first sustained research program in underwater sound. (Abstracted)
1961 - Albert B. Wood - For pioneering leadership in underwater sound;
the development of the cathode-ray oscillograph and its adaptation to the
study of underwater explosions; his invention of the magneto-strictive
depth recorder; and his studies of shallow-water sound transmission.
(Abstracted)
1963 - J. Warren Horton - For his pioneering contributions to the
knowledge and practice of underwater acoustics as scientist, and teacher,
and administrator; and particularly for his painstaking and thorough
organization of the science of underwater acoustics and its presentation in
the book "Fundamentals of Sonar."
1965 - Frederick V. Hunt - For his pioneering contributions to
underwater acoustics as a scientist, innovator, teacher, and administrator;
and particularly for his unceasing efforts directed toward greater scientific
understanding and more effective exploitation of sound in the sea.
1970 - Harold L. Saxton - For his contributions to both knowledge and
practice of underwater acoustics, and particularly for innovative solutions
to problems of signal processing and sonar systems and transducers.
1973 - Carl Eckart - For his consummate skill, insight, and clarity in
bringing to others the theoretical foundations for understanding the
principles of underwater sound and acoustic signal processing, and for his
leadership, wise counsel, and kindness in helping others to pursue the
unsolved problems of the sea.
1980 - Claude W. Horton, Sr. - For his contributions in underwater
acoustics in the field of propagation, reflection, and scattering, signal

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processing, particularly methods in acoustic data treatment and
interpretation, and especially for his contribution as a teacher and friend of
scientists.
1982 - Arthur O. Williams, Jr. - For his contribution to the theory of
normal mode propagation of sound in the ocean, to the theory of sound
radiation from piston sources, and to the education of graduates and
undergraduates.
1985 - Fred N. Spiess - For his leadership and insight in applying
acoustics to study the ocean and the sea floor, for his many ingenious
scientific and engineering contributions; for his introduction of students,
scientists, and many others to underwater acoustics.
1988 - Robert J. Urick - For his book "Principles of Underwater Sound"
and his many experiments on sound propagation, scattering, reverberation,
and ambient noise.
1990 - Ivan Tolstoy - For innovative studies in oceanic, atmospheric and
seismic wave propagation.
1993 - Homer P. Bucker - For ground-breaking work integrating signal
processing and acoustic modeling.
1995 - William A. Kuperman - For the development and application of
models for ocean acoustic propagation and scattering.
2000 - Darrell R. Jackson - For work on acoustic time reversal
techniques and scattering from the ocean sea floor and sea surface.
2002 – Frederick D. Tappert - For application of the parabolic equation
to underwater acoustic propagation.
2005 - Henrik Schmidt - For pioneering contributions in numerical
modeling and at-sea experiments in underwater acoustics.
2007 - William M. Carey - For contributions to understanding ocean
ambient noise and in defining the limits of acoustic array performance in
the ocean.
2010 - George V. Frisk - For contributions to quantifying acoustic
interactions with the seabed.

ABOUT THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society
in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,500 members
worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications
include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on
acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, books and standards on acoustics. The Society
also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about the ASA,
visit their website at http://asa.aip.org.